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Vinni Lettieri scored the winning goal with 9:38 left
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Published May 09, 2026 • 1 minute read
The Maple Leafs can’t touch the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff success this spring, but their farm team certainly can.
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With a late rally for a 3-2 win Saturday afternoon in Laval, the Marlies endured 3-2 and took the best-of-five series in the deciding game against the Rocket, 3-2.
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Toronto, which finished fourth in the North Division, now advances to the North final against the Cleveland Monsters, affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a best-of-five starting Thursday in Cleveland.
Vinni Lettieri scored the winner with 9:38 left in regulation after Toronto fell behind 1-0 and 2-1 at Place Bell against the division leaders.
At 4-on-4 midway through the third period, Toronto won an offensive-zone draw and Lettieri beat Rocket goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen for his fifth goal of the playoffs.
Reese Johnson had scored his first career playoff goal to tie the game at 4:57 of the same period. Defenceman and lineup newcomer Blake Smith had struck in his first playoff appearance as a Marlie.
Owen Beck had both goals for Laval, which had not lost in regulation all season when leading before the third period (28-0-1-3).
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Marlies coach John. Gruden and his staff elected to come back in net with Artur Akhtyamov after Laval beat him three times in two periods through Game 4 in Toronto. He made 20 saves for the Marlies, while Kahkonen stopped 16.
The result extended what has been a good week for incoming senior executive advisor Mats Sundin and general manager John Chayka. They have insisted the team has viable prospects and the series win gives more runway for Easton Cowan, Jacob Quillan, defenceman William Villeneuve, Akhtyamov and Dennis Hildeby.
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